For the past five years, I have blogged here at First Things. I was surprised when Matt Schmitz first offered me this prominent venue, and I remain humbled at the privilege and the astonishing freedom I’ve had to write and publish to my heart’s content.
A huge thank-you to Rusty Reno, Matt, the FT tech team, and others who have had a role in making this blog what it is.
Beginning Monday, August 14, this blog will be available at Patheos (http://www.patheos.com/blogs/leithart/). This link will automatically forward you to the new site. My blog will continue to bear the “Leithart” name it’s had since I started blogging in the early 2000s. That will be a sign of continuity, and a reminder that I don’t speak for anyone but myself.
Leithart the blog will continue to be what it has been—a public notebook, where I explore biblical and theological topics, post unpolished snatches from my reading and research, comment on politics and culture.
The reason for the move is simple: Patheos will pay me for blogging, something First Things is not in a position to do. I’m at a moment in life where I need to get paid for as much of my writing as I can. Readers won’t have to pay to read, but Patheos will provide a welcome supplement to my livelihood.
This move doesn’t signal a breach between First Things and me. No one asked me to move my blog and I have no complaints or grievances, personal or ideological, against FT. I will continue to write a bi-weekly column at Firstthings.com and an occasional article or review for the magazine, participate in Evangelicals and Catholics Together, speak as a “First Things” lecturer, and share, as I have opportunity, in the other initiatives of the Institute on Religion and Public Life. I’ll be delighted to remain a part of the First Things family.
I hope you’ll come visit over at the new site.
